What to Expect During Your LASIK Consultation

Thinking about LASIK? Your first step is a comprehensive consultation—and it’s more than just a routine eye exam. At SightMD, we believe informed decisions lead to better outcomes, so we make sure your LASIK consultation is detailed, personalized, and pressure-free. Whether you’re near one of our offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts or Pennsylvania, your initial visit is designed to determine if LASIK is right for you and ensure the best possible results.
Why a LASIK Consultation Is Essential
LASIK is a highly effective, FDA-approved procedure that corrects vision by reshaping the cornea. But not everyone is a suitable candidate. Your consultation helps identify whether LASIK—or an alternative procedure—is the safest and most effective solution for your specific vision needs.
At SightMD, we offer free consultations to guide you through this process without any financial pressure. It’s the first step toward clearer vision—and potentially a glasses-free life.
Preparing for Your LASIK Consultation
A little preparation goes a long way in ensuring accurate results during your evaluation. Some habits, like contact lens wear, can temporarily alter the shape of your cornea and skew your measurements. That’s why it’s essential to follow a few simple steps before your appointment.
Before your consultation, be sure to:
- Stop wearing contact lenses: Discontinue soft lenses for at least 2 weeks (and longer for hard or gas-permeable lenses).
- Bring your current prescription glasses and any prior eye care records, if available.
- List all medications and supplements you currently take, especially any related to eye conditions or dryness.
- Get a good night’s sleep and avoid eye strain from screens before your appointment.
- Be ready to discuss your vision goals, whether it’s sports, work, or daily activities.
- Bring insurance information in case your screening involves diagnostic testing.
What to Expect During the Consultation
Your LASIK consultation typically lasts between 2 to 3 hours. It’s a thorough, multi-step visit that includes advanced testing, one-on-one discussions with our team, and time with an experienced ophthalmologist or optometrist.
Here’s what the process looks like:
- Initial Review & Vision Goals
You’ll meet with a LASIK coordinator or technician who will ask about your medical history, eye care background, and what you hope to achieve with LASIK. This is your chance to share any concerns and lifestyle goals. - Advanced Eye Testing
A comprehensive diagnostic workup follows, using state-of-the-art technology to evaluate your corneal shape, thickness, and eye health. - Meet Your Surgeon
You’ll sit down with a LASIK surgeon or specialist who will explain your results, assess your candidacy, and answer your questions. This personalized consultation helps you fully understand what to expect if you proceed with LASIK—or if another treatment may be better for you.
LASIK Testing: What We Measure
We use several high-precision tools to gather detailed information about your eyes. These results help determine whether LASIK is right for you, and they also guide your custom treatment plan.
During your visit, we’ll perform tests such as:
- Refraction – Measures your current glasses prescription and how your eyes focus.
- Corneal Topography – Maps the curvature and shape of your cornea.
- Pachymetry – Measures corneal thickness, a critical factor in LASIK eligibility.
- Wavefront Analysis – Detects subtle visual imperfections beyond nearsightedness or astigmatism.
- Tear Film Evaluation – Checks for signs of dry eye, which could affect healing or outcomes.
- Dilated Eye Exam – Allows us to inspect the internal structures of the eye, including the retina and optic nerve.
These tests are quick, non-invasive, and completely painless.
How We Determine LASIK Candidacy
Once testing is complete, your doctor will go over your results in detail. LASIK is a fantastic option for many, but certain factors may influence whether you qualify:
- Corneal thickness: Thin corneas may make LASIK less safe, and alternatives like PRK may be recommended.
- Prescription range: Extremely high prescriptions can affect outcomes.
- Dry eye disease or other ocular surface issues may complicate healing.
- Medical history: Autoimmune disorders, certain medications, or past eye surgeries may affect eligibility.
If LASIK isn’t the best option, don’t worry—we’ll walk you through alternatives like PRK, ICL, or advanced lens replacement procedures tailored to your eyes and lifestyle.
After Your Consultation: Next Steps
If you’re a candidate and ready to move forward, our team will help you schedule your LASIK procedure and walk you through pre-op instructions. You’ll also meet again with your surgeon to finalize your personalized treatment plan.
If LASIK isn’t right for you, we’ll explain the best alternatives and help coordinate your care—there’s no pressure, just solutions.
You’ll also have the opportunity for a Q&A session with your surgeon or a LASIK counselor to clarify anything from post-op recovery to long-term results.
Why Choose SightMD for Your LASIK Journey?
With over 60 locations across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, SightMD is one of the region’s most trusted eye care providers. Our LASIK team includes fellowship-trained surgeons, advanced diagnostic tools, and a personalized care model to guide you every step of the way.
- Free LASIK consultations
- Top-tier technology for precise diagnostics and custom treatment plans
- Highly experienced surgeons with thousands of successful LASIK procedures
- Flexible scheduling and local care, so you never have to travel far
Common Questions About LASIK Consultations
Most appointments last 2 to 3 hours, including testing and your meeting with the surgeon.
Contacts can change your cornea’s shape, leading to inaccurate measurements. We recommend avoiding contacts for 1–2 weeks before your visit.
Yes, dilation helps us examine the back of the eye and assess pupil size accurately.
Your vision may be blurry due to dilation, so it’s best to arrange a ride or wait until your vision returns to normal.
We’ll guide you toward other safe and effective vision correction options like PRK or ICL.
Schedule Your Free LASIK Consultation Today
Your path to better vision starts with a single step. Whether you’re curious about LASIK or ready to schedule surgery, SightMD is here to help. Our expert team offers compassionate care, honest recommendations, and clear answers—so you can feel confident in your choice.
👉 Schedule your LASIK consultation today
👉 Not sure if LASIK is right for you? Take our LASIK Self-Test